February 15: Wagner reports; said he was never right last year

Closer “Billy Wagner”:http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5536 is in camp and just held court. He said he couldn’t recall a time last season when he was right mentally and physically at the same time.

“If there was, I don’t remember it,” said Wagner.

Wagner strained a tendon in his left middle finger and admits pushing himself back. “I didn’t feel I had the life and control (on my pitches),” he said, mostly because he kept experimenting with his grip.

Wagner said he’s experienced this before in the spring and said he’ll know in another couple of weeks about this year.

Wagner saved 40 games with a 2.24 ERA last season, which are good enough numbers.

John Delcos enters his third season covering the Mets for The Journal News after eight seasons on the Yankees beat. Prior to coming to New York, John covered the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians.